Houses that are there for the long haul - Telegraph

Houses that are there for the long haul - Telegraph

Most Devon longhouses date from between 1400 and 1700, but Susan Tribble’s is the exception. It was built in 2005.

That said, it replaced one that was a lot older, constructed at some point towards the end of the 16th century.

“The original Sleap Cottage would have been familiar to Sir Walter Raleigh, who was brought up in the village here,” says Susan. “Unfortunately, she was burned to the ground, 10 days before Christmas 2003.”

Note the word “she”. People who own Devon longhouses – and these days, there are more and more people wanting to – tend not to see them as pieces of property, but as members of the family.

The secret of their popularity, according to West Country estate agents, is that whereas other properties may be more practical and purpose-built, longhouses have infinitely more character.